32 new restaurants and bars are open in metro Phoenix: Brunch, tacos and Italian paninis
Summer is the time for new adventures. And restaurateurs in metro Phoenix have made that easy with an array of exciting new eateries all over the Valley.
If tacos are your thing, you're in luck. Check out Birrieria Xolos, Mochilero Kitchen, Taqueria Factory or the newest locations of Rito's Mexican Food or Torchy's Tacos. The Valley also gained two new donut shops: Outcast Doughnuts in Mesa and Yo! Donuts in Scottsdale.
The West Valley gained Canelas Placita, Fabio On Fire Panini & Gelateria and SKNY Pig. And in the East Valley, there are plenty of new options to choose from, including Sizzling House, Icho Izakaya and Via 313.
Whatever it is you're craving, here are 32 new restaurants now open in metro Phoenix.
Angie's Lobster
Angie's Lobster, the drive-thru seafood concept from the creators of Salad and Go, has opened its fifth Valley location in Surprise. The restaurant prides itself on selling lobster at a price comparable to other fast food items like burgers and chicken — meals including either a lobster roll, fried lobster sandwich or fried lobster tails and a side of fries for $9.99 each.
Details: 13670 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise. angieslobster.com.
Birrieria Xolos
Birrieria Xolos is a California-based Mexican restaurant that specializes in birria everything: birria tacos, birria burritos, birria quesadillas, birria mulitas, birria tortas, birria ramen and birria pizza. To drink, try one of the restaurant's aguas frescas.
Details: 1005 E. Main St., Mesa. @birrieriaxolos on Instagram.
Canelas Placita
A new family-owned Mexican restaurant is now open in Peoria. Canelas Placita serves elotes, tacos, burritos, tortas, tacos dorados and quesadillas. They also have a breakfast menu including a burrito a la Michoacana, breakfast burrito, breakfast torta and chilaquiles.
Details: 9976 N. 91st Ave., Suite B109, Peoria. 623-440-9113, canelasplacita.com.
Chick-In Waffle
The Missouri-based chicken restaurant opened a drive-thru only location in Mesa. Menu highlights include the Chick-In Maple classic buttermilk chicken topped with maple syrup and chives on a bubble waffle, loaded buffalo cheese fries, a Nashville hot chicken sandwich and the Asian Chili waffle made with Thai-inspired chili sauce drenched over crispy chicken, toasted sesame and chives on a waffle.
Another new location is set to debut in downtown Phoenix later this year.
Details: 2659 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa. 480-572-1640, chick-in-waffle.com.
Claypot Kitchen
A new Hong Kong-inspired restaurant has moved into the space formerly occupied by Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House, near H Mart and Mekong Plaza in Mesa. The restaurant offers claypot rice, congee and other dishes such as ma po tofu, chou hou sauce pork ribs, pork belly gua bao and duck feet with shiitake mushrooms.
Details: 111 S. Dobson Road, Suite 101, Mesa. 480-275-5352, claypotkitchenaz.com.
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
A new location of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is now open in Scottsdale, serving frozen blended coffees and cold brew tea.
Details: 9380 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. 602-782-3611, coffeebean.com.
Copperhead Bistro
A new local restaurant owned by best friends Joshua Madden and Steven Rust, and executive chef Jonathan Raggio, is now open in Phoenix. Copperhead Bistro serves paninis, pizzas, pastas and cold cuts on ciabatta. And after 5 p.m., they offer signature dishes such as braised short rib and a lasagna roll trio.
Details: 4727 E. Bell Road, Suite 59, Phoenix. 480-450-3244, copperheadbistro.com.
Eggstasy
The sixth location of breakfast and brunch restaurant Eggstasy has opened in Mesa. They specialize in egg dishes like skirt steak and eggs, benedicts, omelets and carne asada steak frites frittata.
Details: 5021 S. Power Road, Mesa. 480-219-5904, eggstasyaz.com.
Fabio On Fire Panini & Gelateria
Fabio Ceschetti, the chef and owner of the popular West Valley Italian restaurant Fabio on Fire, has opened a second restaurant in Peoria. The new restaurant focuses on paninis and gelato, hence the name. Panini options include the Toscano, made with porchetta al forno a legna or wood-roasted pork belly, provolone, parmigiano spread, fried zucchini and extra virgin olive oil; or the Donna di cuori, made with mortadella with pistachios, creamy mozzarella, Sicilian pistachio pesto, arugula and extra virgin olive oil.
Details: 24775 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Suite 101, Peoria. fabioonfire.com.
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Gen Korean BBQ
A second Arizona location of Gen Korean BBQ is now open in Chandler, offering all-you-can-eat meats, seafood and vegetables served with traditional banchan, or Korean side dishes.
Details: 1852 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 480-597-9379, genkoreanbbq.com.
Ghett Yo Wings
Ghett Yo Taco's sibling concept Ghett Yo Wings has opened its second location in San Tan Valley, after debuting in Phoenix last fall. They serve grilled, naked, breaded or boneless wings with 18 sauce options including hot buffalo, teriyaki and chipotle BBQ.
Details: 40975 N. Ironwood Dr., San Tan Valley. 480-916-9464, ghettyowings.com.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is now open in Ahwatukee, serving Southern spicy fried chicken with sides like coleslaw and potato salad. It is the Memphis-based chain's fourth Valley location.
Details: 4723 E. Ray Road, Suite 6237, Phoenix. gusfriedchicken.com.
The Hub
The original Mesa location of The Hub Grill & Bar has reopened in Mesa after it was forced to close in 2021 due to a fire on New Year's Eve. The new and improved location includes a roll-up garage door and a kitchen that is twice as big as before. The Hub offers an enormous menu of wings, sandwiches, burgers and specialties like fish and chips, chipotle surf and turf, mac and cheese and a giant green chile burrito.
Details: 6655 E. McDowell Road, Mesa. 480-597-7447, hubgrill.com.
Hot Chicken Alley
A brand-new fried chicken restaurant, Hot Chicken Alley, is now open in Phoenix. Menu highlights include the Rooster meal, comprised of two chicken tenders made to your preferred heat level on fresh toasted potato buns layered with coleslaw, pickles, special sauce and fries; or the Mixed Up, which comes with one tender on a fresh toasted potato bun layered with coleslaw, pickles, special sauce and fries.
Details: 13636 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 10, Phoenix. 602-675-2407, hotchickenalley.com.
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Icho Izakaya
A new Japanese restaurant serving dinner and takeout only is now open in Mesa. Menu options include ramen, yakisoba, fried rice, curry and teriyaki dishes, yakitori and sushi rolls. Izakayas are Japanese restaurants that serve as casual spots to meet up and have a quick meal after school or work.
Details: 1911 W. Broadway Road, Suite 10, Mesa. 480-828-3428, ichosushiphonix.com.
The Kickin' Crab
California-based chain The Kickin' Crab made its Arizona debut in Chandler. They offer bags of seafood priced by the pound, plus smaller appetizers like oysters, fish or shrimp tacos, Cajun fries and garlic noodles.
Details: 1840 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 5, Chandler. 480-666-6868, thekickincrab.com.
Kuko's Nest
Kuko's Nest is a new family-owned Greek restaurant in Scottsdale offering pita wraps and sandwiches, kabobs, chicken meals and loukoumades for dessert.
Details: 10135 E. Via Linda, Suite C113, Scottsdale. 480-590-2559, kukosnest.com.
Level 1 Arcade Bar
Level 1 Arcade Bar, beloved for its rotating lineup of pinball and arcade machines, has soft-opened its second location in Mesa.
The bar menu includes carne asada tacos, Asian pork belly tacos, classic or bacon cheese sliders, mac and cheese, personal pizzas and jalapeno cheddar pretzel bites. They have several Arizona-brewed beers on tap and signature cocktails like the Smash Bros with rye, blackberry, lemon juice, simple syrup and soda, or the Son of a Glitch made with Western Son peach vodka, Captain Morgan spiced rum, mango, orange juice and Sprite.
Details: 48 W. Main St., Mesa. level1arcade.bar.
Mochilero Kitchen
The second location of this Peoria Mexican restaurant, Mochilero Kitchen offers short rib barbacoa, chicken tinga, roasted mushroom and carnitas tacos. Other menu items include chile negro enchiladas, a shrimp diablo burrito, guacamole and plantain chips and a Sonoran hot dog.
Details: 14850 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Suite 117, Scottsdale. 480-590-0514, mochilerokitchenscottsdale.com.
Outcast Doughnuts
Outcast Doughnuts, a sibling concept of Level 1 Arcade Bar, is now open in downtown Mesa. Layered doughnut options include strawberry shortcake, mango unchained, birthday cake and peanut butter jelly. In addition to doughnuts, they serve breakfast and lunch sandwiches, ice cream and cocktails.
Details: 104 W. Main St., Suite 103, Mesa. 480-912-1142, outcastdoughnuts.com.
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Over Easy
A new location of Over Easy is now open in Chandler. It is the restaurant's 11th location in the state. They serve breakfast favorites like steak and eggs, breakfast burritos, chilaquiles and cinnamon roll French toast. Brunch and lunch options include a California chicken sandwich, taco salad and avocado toast.
Details: 7131 W. Ray Road, Chandler. 480-306-6681, eatatovereasy.com.
Poke Paradise
A new restaurant and boba tea hotspot has soft opened in Phoenix. Poke Paradise serves customizable bowls: start with a base, then choose your protein, mix-ins, toppings, sauces and garnishes.
Details: 440 E. Bell Road, Suite D-100, Phoenix. 602-675-3422, @mypokeparadise on Instagram.
Prep & Pastry
Tucson-based brunch restaurant Prep & Pastry has opened a new location in Gilbert. Menu options include sweet potato hash, hummus toast, chickpea scramble, a blueberry yogurt bowl and omelets.
Details: 313 N. Gilbert Road, Suite 301, Gilbert. 480-590-2722, prepandpastry.com.
Pure Green
Pure Green is a new smoothie and juice bar in Arcadia. In addition to the healthy drinks, Pure Green offers hazelnut butter toast, avocado toast and almond butter toast as well as acai bowls and prepackaged superfood snacks.
Details: 4750 E. Indian School Road, Suite 124, Phoenix. 602-612-3558, puregreenfranchise.com.
Rito's Mexican Food
A new location of the longtime Phoenix staple Rito's Mexican Food is now open in Mesa. It is the restaurant's fourth location. The original location opened in 1977 inside the home of Rosemary and Rito Salinas, who passed down their green chili recipe and the restaurant to their daughter Charlotte Hansen in 2012.
Earlier this year, Rito's original location was named the winner of the 2023 Phoenix Burrito Bowl.
Details: 1033 N. Dobson Road, Suite 101, Mesa. 480-264-0966, ritosmexicanfood.com.
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Roll Em Up Taquitos
Southern California-born Roll Em Up Taquitos made its Arizona debut in June with a new location in Chandler. The restaurant is known for its namesake taquitos, but they also serve street corn, chips with house-made guacamole and churro doughnuts.
Details: 301 S. Arizona Ave., Suite 2, Chandler. rollemup.com.
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Sizzling House
Sizzling House is the latest addition to Mesa's Mekong Plaza, which offers the largest selection of Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino and Taiwanese restaurants under one roof in the Valley.
The new restaurant is known for its sizzling plates, which each include edamame, corn, garlic butter and green onions and a protein. Protein options include wagyu beef, shrimp, salmon, angus beef and chicken. Any of the meats can be paired with either rice or udon noodles, served in savory house sauce or dry curry. Sizzling House also offers a large selection of ramen.
Details: 66 S. Dobson Road, Suite 107, Mesa. 480-572-1010,@sizzlinghouse.arizona on Instagram.
SKNY Pig
A new Thai-focused Asian restaurant is now open in Glendale. Entrees include pad Thai, pad see ew, basil noodles and pepper steak. They also offer a handful of curry and fried rice dishes.
Details: 4330 W. Union Hills Dr., Suite B11, Glendale. sknypig.com.
Taqueria Factory
Taqueria Factory, a local, family-run Mexican food concept from the family behind Fruitilandia, held a grand opening celebration for its second Chandler location on June 22. The food menu includes street-style tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, birria ramen and quesabirrias. Wash it down with a michelada or margarita.
Details: 1155 W. Ocotillo Road, Suite 1, Chandler. 480-672-5000, taqueriafactory.com.
Torchy's Tacos
Texas-based Torchy's Tacos opened its fourth Arizona location in Gilbert. Torchy's offers 14 taco options including breakfast tacos, green chile pork, fried avocado, Baja shrimp and chicken and beef fajitas. Other menu highlights include a grande burrito, chips and queso and scratch-made churros.
Details: 2320 S. San Tan Village Pkwy., Suite 101, Gilbert. 480-712-9070, torchystacos.com.
Via 313
Detroit-style Via 313 Pizzeria opened the doors to its first Arizona restaurant in Tempe near the Sun Devil Stadium and Desert Financial Arena on June 26. The menu offers appetizers, like cheese bread and roasted artichokes, 14 Detroit-style pies and seven bar-style thin-crust pizzas, salads and desserts. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are also available.
Details: 715 S. Rural Road, Suite 101, Tempe. via313.com.
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Yo! Donut
A new donut shop in North Scottsdale specializes in donuts that are free of gluten, soy and animal products. Options include chocolate raspberry, lemon strawberry sprinkle, chocolate maple crumble, cinnamon sugar and blueberry sprinkle.
Details: 20851 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite D103, Scottsdale. yodonutaz.com.
Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 32 new Phoenix restaurants: Japanese izakaya, Italian food, burritos
